Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Thong Pha Phum National Park
The Thong Pha Phum National Park ( 0 3453 2114) is best known for the Jorgrading waterfall and
its tree-top accommodation ( 0 2562 0760; www.dnp.go.th ; 600-1200B) .
The 62km ride from Thong Pha Phum to the park is along a serpentine but well-made
road shaded by soaring hillside trees. The main waterfall is 5km from the park entrance.
Keep going for another 8km along the ear-popping Hwy 3272 to visit the frontier vil-
lage of E-Thong , where most of the population is Burmese. The tree-trunk shaped rooms at
Ban Tor Mai ( 08 3614 4432; jikkapompom@gmail.com; r 600-1200B) are functional but fun. Right be-
hind the town is the Burmese border; you can stand with one foot in either country as
somewhat bemused guards look on. Entrepreneurial children offer their own brief guided
tour of the village, the old Pilok mine and Burmese quarter.
Yellow sŏrng·tăa·ou (80B, 1½ hours, 10.30am and 12.30pm) run from Thong Pha
Phum's market to E-Thong and the national park. The return trip leaves at 6am and
6.30am.
MAKE MINE A SPIRIT
The abandoned Pilok mine in E-Thong gained its name thanks to the supernatural. When an outbreak of malaria
hit the tin and wolfram mine, several workers died. Afterwards, villagers began to see strange apparitions near the
mine and believed that the spirits of the miners (pĕe) were playing tricks (lok) on them. They would cry out
'pilok' and the name stuck. Pilok is also the name of the subdistrict.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Sangkhlaburi
For many travellers Sangkhlaburi is the end of the line, but for many residents it repres-
ents the start of a new journey. Few places in Thailand have such a blend of ethnic identit-
ies, with Burmese, Karen, Mon, Thai and some Lao each calling this home.
Many cross the Burmese border driven by economic need or through fear of oppres-
sion. The result is a melange of cultures, beliefs and even languages.
 
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